The Transformers: The Movie (1986) Toys and Memorabilia

The Transformers: The Movie opened on August 8, 1986, and brought a new wave of Hasbro toys: Hot Rod, Rodimus Prime, Galvatron, Ultra Magnus, Kup, Blurr and others. Collectors look for those 1986 figures, original posters and the 1987 VHS, while Hasbro’s Studio Series 86 line has made new figures of the film’s cast since 2021.

The film belongs to the original cartoon, so this page sits under our Transformers G1 hub, which covers the full 1984 toy line along with its reissues and knockoffs.

What was the 1986 Transformers movie?

Nelson Shin directed the film, which Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions made with Toei Animation. De Laurentiis Entertainment Group distributed it in the US. It is set in 2005, twenty years after the TV series’ second season, and it bridged the gap between seasons two and three.

The film was built around toys. According to Wikipedia, Hasbro had the story written around characters that could best be merchandised. Hot Rod, who becomes Rodimus Prime, joined the Autobots alongside Ultra Magnus, while Megatron returns reformatted as Galvatron and Unicron is the main villain.

The movie earned less than its $6 million budget at the US box office, but it later gained a cult following through re-releases.

Which toys came out with the movie?

The 1986 figure list is long. These are the main characters from the film with a 1986 toy:

Unicron does not appear in the 1986 toy list at TFU.info, so treat any “1986 Unicron” with care. The same checks apply as for any G1 figure: every weapon and accessory, the instructions and, for boxed figures, the tech spec card. Our G1 characters guide lists the first figures of the main cast, including Megatron’s original 1984 pistol toy.

Transformers: The Movie (1986) figures, posters and VHS on eBay

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What home video releases exist?

Family Home Entertainment released the film on VHS and Betamax in February 1987. That tape was the film’s first home release, and an early copy in its original sleeve is the version to look for.

Later editions are easier to date. Shout! Factory released a 30th anniversary Blu-ray and DVD on September 13, 2016, and a 35th anniversary 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on August 3, 2021. These are licensed releases and good for watching, but they are not 1980s memorabilia.

What decides interest in movie memorabilia?

We do not quote prices. What matters differs by item. A 1986 figure is judged on completeness first, then on the state of its stickers and chrome. A VHS tape is judged on the condition of its sleeve and on whether the cassette itself is the 1987 release. A poster is judged on its edges and fold lines (pinholes count against it), and on clear evidence that it was printed for the 1986 release.

What is Studio Series 86?

Studio Series is Hasbro’s line of figures based on the Transformers films. It began with the live-action films in 2018, and in 2021 it added characters from the 1986 animated film, numbered with an “86” prefix. Takara Tomy sells matching versions in Japan.

The first Studio Series 86 figures went up for preorder in May 2021, including Dinobot Slug with a Daniel figure, Gnaw and Wreck-Gar. The line kept growing: in May 2024, preorders opened for a Leader Class Springer, a Deluxe Class Bumblebee and a Core Class Steeljaw.

These are new figures, not reissues of the 1986 toys. They suit a fan who wants a figure that looks like the animation. The originals remain the collector’s choice, and the G1 hub covers Hasbro’s reissue lines separately.